Driving laws across Europe you need to know to avoid hefty fines

BRITISH holidaymakers planning a summer road trip are being encouraged to brush up on their local knowledge before they hit the road.

PUBLISHED: 23:01, Sun, Aug 5, 2018 | UPDATED: 09:10, Mon, Aug 6, 2018

0

British holidaymakers need to ensure that they brush up on European driving laws (Image: GETTY)

The motoring experts behind leasing giant LeaseCar.uk have researched and compiled a list of the quirkiest rules of the road from France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece and the USA that UK drivers are unlikely to know.

It’s a must in all countries to carry reflective jackets for the driver and passengers, a warning triangle, spare bulbs, headlamp converters and a breathalyser – but some of the other road rules may take motorists by surprise.

In France you can be fined if your SatNav shows the location of fixed speed cameras and in Germany motorists are banned from unnecessarily slamming car doors.

If you’re driving in Italy, always have your headlights on and dipped if you’re driving on motorways or dual carriageways – even during the day.

Related articles

Never carry spare fuel in your car if you’re driving in Spain and in Greece the middle lane of the motorway is for overtaking.

In Portugal, you’re not allowed to put bikes on the back of the car and in the USA, remember you can go through a red light but only if you’re turning right.

Tim Alcock from LeaseCar.uk said: “When you’re driving in another country it is vital you’re aware of the basic rules of the road, but there will always be another set of unwritten rules that you’ll only learn once you’re on the road.

“Little things like parking quirks, when you can and can’t use your mobile phone and what a driver really means if they flash their lights at you.

“Do your homework before you go but if you find yourself in a hairy situation, stay calm and use your common sense.”

25 of the weirdest driving laws from around the world

Fri, June 9, 2017

Here are 25 of the weirdest driving laws from around the world as selected and researched by carwow.

1. If your SatNav shows the location of fixed speed cameras, deactivate the function while you’re in France.

2. Using your mobile phone in the car even if you’ve pulled over and switched off the engine is illegal. The exception is if you’re in a designated parking space or you’ve broken down.

3. It’s usual practise in some French towns to park on one side of the street for the first half of the month, and the other side for the second. Parking may also alternate weekly or even daily.

Germany

1. Parking is only allowed on the right unless you’re on a one-way street, and a car is considered parked if it’s in the same place for more than three minutes.

2. Good Samaritan laws say you should stop and give help if you’re the first one at the scene of an accident.

3. Motorists are banned from unnecessarily revving their engines or slamming car doors.

Italy

1. In built up areas, stopping and parking are only allowed on the right-hand side on a street with two-way traffic. In one-way traffic, you can stop and park on either providing three metres of clear space is left in the middle of the road.

2. Be aware of the unwritten rules – lane changing, and tailgating is not uncommon and gaps in the traffic are rarely there for long.

3. Headlights should be switched on and dipped when driving on motorways and dual carriageways even during the day.

Spain

1. If you wear glasses for driving, you must keep a spare pair with you in the car.

2. Vehicles parked overnight on poorly lit streets must have their side lights illuminated.

3. It’s against the law to carry spare fuel in the car in Spain. But you can be fined for running out of petrol on some main roads.

Greece

1. Use your hazard lights to show you’re intending to park and avoid coloured parking spaces in Athens. These are for the locals.

2. The middle lane of a three-lane motorway is for overtaking.

3. If a Greek driver flashes their headlights, they’re warning you to stay out of the way as they’re coming through.

Portugal

1. It’s illegal to carry bikes on the back of your car. Try attaching them to the roof instead.

2. Don’t use the green lane on motorways – these are for drivers with an automatic toll collection device.

3. You can use a handsfree mobile phone kit when driving or a single earphone. Two earphones are illegal.